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UTHUKELA DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

www.uthukeladm.co.za
Ladysmith serves as a major shopping centre for
towns such as Colenso, Glencoe, Bergville and
Dundee. Ladysmith boasts a strong and diverse
manufacturing base offering several industrial areas,
the largest being the Ithala Industrial Estate a short
distance from the CBD.
Due to its proximity to the N3 and N11 highways, the
rural area benefits from a network of provincial and
district roads.
Okhahlamba Municipality is situated in the mountainous
A TOURIST DESTINATION
region of KwaZulu-Natal between Lesotho, the Free
The uThukela District Municipality is a region that State, Emnambithi and Mtshezi. Okhahlamba is
has abundant natural resources and opportunities. made up of privately owned commercial farmland,
uThukela is located on the western boundary of the smallholder settlements, the urban areas of Bergville,
KwaZulu-Natal Province. Winterton, Cathkin Park, Geluksberg, and two tribal
authority areas.
The district comprises the three local municipalities of
Alfred Duma, Inkosi Langalibalele and Okhahlamba. Bergville is described as the gateway the Drakensberg.
Some of the most picturesque holiday resorts, like
UThukela District Municipality has a strong district Catkin Peak, Cathedral Peak, Champagne Castle,
council that has performed an important devel- Oliviershoek, and Spioenkop’s historical site, lakeside
opmental and administrative role in the region. resort and dam are all situated close to the town.
Investment into infrastructure and services such As such, it is one of the major sources of income
as water, sports fields, community halls, roads and generation within the tourism industry as the spending
crèches has benefited many rural communities. in the area contributes significantly to the economy.
The uThukela District is regarded as having good The Royal Natal National Park and the Rugged Glen
potential agricultural land, with the commercial Nature Reserve boast one of South Africa’s most
farming sector being dominated by forestry beautiful mountain landscapes, which includes the
plantations and field crops, such as maize, dry beans magnificent peaks of Mont-Aux-Sources. The Tugela
and potatoes. Livestock production mainly focuses on Falls, the world’s second tallest waterfall, is also
beef, dairy and sheep. located in the region.
The beauty of the area enhances the tourism Inkosi Langalibalele Municipality boasts well
opportunities in the district. Tourist destinations established industrial, commercial and residential
include the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Mountains areas. Escourt is the largest commercial centre in the
where approximately half a million tourists a year are region. Many of the government departments serving
attracted to this World Heritage Site as well as to the Inkosi Langalibalele have regional offices located in
historic battlefields in the region. Estcourt. Weenen is a small agricultural town that
is starting to emerge as a tourist destination. Much
Alfred Duma Municipality’s main urban areas are
Ladysmith, Ezakheni, Steadville and Colenso/ of the population resides in rural villages scattered
Nkanyezi. Ladysmith, the seat of uThukela District throughout the municipal area, particularly in
is the primary urban area and is centrally located traditional authority areas.
with respect to corridor development and transport The agricultural sector has a huge potential for being
routes in the region, which increases the economic developed and to stimulate economic development
opportunities in and around the town. within the area.

CONTACT DETAILS
Physical Address: 33 Forbes Street, Ladysmith, 3370 Fax: +27 (0)36 637 5608
Postal Address: P.O. Box 116, Ladysmith, 3370 E-mail: municipalmanager@uthukeladm.co.za
Tel: +27 (0)36 638 5100 / 036 638 2400 Website: www.uthukeladm.co.za
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